Betts named firefighter of the year

OLNEY— Before handing out the awards at this year’s Olney Volunteer Fire Department Banquet, the OVFD received an unexpected thanks from a man, whose home they saved from a fire in September.

Malina was on hand as part of the band Saints and Sinners and took the time to thank the department.

“September 30, my house caught fire,” Malina said. “I could not believe it. You were there before I was ... Thank you so much.”

While speaking to the OVFD, Malina said, thanks to their efforts, repairs to the home should wrap up this week, which will allow Malina and his family to return home for the first time this weekend.

Once the entertainment portion came to an end, the OVFD Chief Ron Keeter handed out the annual awards, which included honoring firefighter Kade Better as OVFD Firefighter of the Year, noting Betts’ ferocity for getting into the action.

“This young man love to be where the action is,” Keeter said. “He loves to be on the back of the truck instead of being in the front driving.”

The ceremony ended with the ringing of the bell, to honor fallen firefighters. This year mark’s the 105th anniversary of the OVFD.